World of Wheels expo coming to Boston

Wednesday

Dec 31, 2008 at 12:01 AMDec 31, 2008 at 10:50 PM

The contest is expected to draw more than 300 vehicles, ranging from hot rods to antiques. Millions of dollars worth of custom creations, most built by local auto and motorcycle enthusiasts, will be represented. However, the work must be original, according to the rules.

Liana Measmer

If you're looking for Art Lacroix, you don't have to go much further than his garage. This is where he spends much of his time, tinkering with his Harley-Davison motorcycles, which are his favorite hobbies.

Lacroix entered his 1999 Harley Sportster in the Town Fair Tire World of Wheels show and has won his division two years in a row. This year will be his third time entering the contest and he is confident he can bring home the coveted “Best in Class” plaque one more time.

Lacroix started showing the bike in 2004 and now boasts 23 trophies and plaques, most of which are first place. He is a regular exhibitor at the New Hampshire Seacoast show, The Shriner's bike show, and The Boston Bike show. This year he will make a trip to Connecticut to enter one more show in the same series.

“It's something to do during the winter,” said Lacroix.

The 35th annual Town Fair Tire World of Wheels show will come to Boston’s Bayside Expo Center on the weekend of Jan. 9-11. President of public relations, Nick Ingala, explained the show is a custom vehicle competition with additional attractions.

The contest is expected to draw more than 300 vehicles, ranging from hot rods to antiques. Millions of dollars worth of custom creations, most built by local auto and motorcycle enthusiasts, will be represented. However, the work must be original, according to the rules.

“The only way to get back into the show is to do something different to the vehicle,” said Ingala about Lacroix's winning Sportster.

Since his last victory, Lacroix has added a few new features to his bike. New this year and most notable is his tall windshield. Not satisfied to leave it plain, Lacroix commissioned an artist, who goes only by the name of Slosh, to etch such pictures as an American eagle and American flag into the plexiglass.

Slosh designs the pictures on a sheet of paper, then sticks it to one side of the windshield.

With a pen-sized sand blaster, he then traces the picture on the opposite side. This is tedious work and one slip means the artist will replace the entire windshield. Lacroix boasted that Slosh hasn't had to replace a single one yet. Slosh also etches into chrome and will use an acrylic based paint to add color and depth to his work.

“How he etches without damaging it is amazing,” said Lacroix.

Lacroix plans to eventually add military etchings in memory of his two uncles and father who were World War II veterans since Lacroix is a Vietnam veteran. Lacroix added new wiring, new passing lights and internal lights into his motorcycle trailer.

For Lacroix, what stands out about the World of Wheels show is the vast number of divisions for the vehicles as well as the detailed judging that goes on. There are individual judges for such categories as paint, displays and detail work who are scoring each competitor closely.

“It's a strict set of rules,” said Lacroix.

Town Fair Tire World of Wheels spectators can also meet and get autographs from celebrities making personal appearances. Some of these famous folks will include Red Sox pitcher Justin Masterson; Jason Earles, Hannah’s brother Jackson on Disney’s “Hannah Montana”show; and Chip Foose from TV’s “Overhaulin”.

The show hours are Friday, Jan. 9, 2009, 5-10:30 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 10, 2009, 10 a.m.-10:30 p.m., and Sunday, Jan. 11, 2009, 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Admission is $15 for adults, $5 for children 6-12, and free for children 5 and under. Discount coupons for $2 off adult and children’s tickets will be available at participating Town Fair Tire stores. For more show information or directions, call 617-474-6000, or visit www.worldofwheels.com.

Billerica Minuteman

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